Love Beyond the Grave

On the third day of the fourth month, the army returned to the Southern Capital.

Duan Xu had rejoined them three days before the army's arrival in the Southern Capital. A heavy early summer rain had fallen, turning the lush grass along the official road muddy. He stood waiting in the rain, holding an umbrella, and when he saw Qin Huanda riding at the head of the vast procession, he lifted the edge of his umbrella.

Qin Huanda noticed the young man’s bright yet faintly desolate eyes, carrying an indescribable air of gloom. But in the next instant, Duan Xu’s eyes curved into a smile, dispelling all traces of darkness.

He saluted and said, "Commander Qin, I’ve returned."

Commander Qin regarded him coldly. If not for Duan Xu’s illustrious background and numerous military achievements, such disregard for discipline—disappearing for so long and only returning now—would never have been tolerated. He had no desire to say more and merely nodded in acknowledgment. As the rain gradually ceased, Duan Xu closed his umbrella and leisurely walked to the rear of the army. Qin Huanda then heard cheers erupt from the soldiers of both the Treading White and Chéng Jié Armies, welcoming the general back.

The Treading White Army was one thing, but the Chéng Jié Army had only been under Duan Xu’s command for two or three months and had already become his personal force, utterly devoted to him.

Qin Huanda glanced back, and his deputy remarked, "General Duan, this man..."

He didn’t finish, but Qin Huanda understood.

This man was a prodigy—and one day, he would become a grave threat.

Meng Wan was overjoyed to see Duan Xu return, but she quickly noticed his poor complexion, as though he had just recovered from a serious illness. She couldn’t help but recall the legends of Evil Ghosts stealing souls and taking lives, and her heart grew heavy with worry. Duan Xu had claimed he was visiting friends in the martial world, vanishing for a full month. Her intuition told her he had gone to find Seventeen.

Though that Evil Ghost Seventeen didn’t seem particularly malicious, she was still a sinister being that brought harm to humans. What if she had hurt Duan Xu?

Just as Meng Wan hesitated to speak, Xue Chenying came running over and grabbed the hem of Duan Xu’s robe, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "Third Brother, where’s... Seventeen? Didn’t she come back with you?"

Meng Wan pretended not to care as she observed Duan Xu’s expression. He lowered his gaze briefly before raising it again with a smile. Though he looked weary, his demeanor remained bright.

"She went home," Duan Xu answered simply. He crouched down and pinched Chenying’s cheek. "I’m going home too, Chenying. Let’s go home together."

Meng Wan sighed in relief, but seeing Duan Xu’s pale face, she couldn’t shake a lingering unease.

The Southern Capital’s celebration to welcome the triumphant army was grand. Duan Xu rode through the streets amid the cheers of the people and the sound of drums and music, surrounded by an atmosphere of joy. Great Liang was prosperous and stable, and the Southern Capital was its most opulent and flourishing city. Everywhere one looked, there were exquisitely carved beams, painted rafters, pavilions, and towers—a vision of peace and prosperity built upon mountains of gold and silver.

A peace and prosperity that spanned half the realm.

Duan Xu narrowed his eyes slightly but still managed to wear a timely, cheerful smile.

When he dismounted before the Duan residence and handed his horse to a servant, he gazed up at the towering gates flanked by stone qilins and listened to the servants announcing the return of the Third Young Master. It had been over half a year since he’d last been here, and it felt like a lifetime ago. Chenying clung tightly to the hem of his robe, and Duan Xu looked down at him. "Does it feel unfamiliar? Are you scared?"

Chenying nodded nervously, unable to hide his apprehension.He rubbed Chen Ying's head and said with a smile, "I feel the same way—it all seems unfamiliar."

No sooner had Duan Xu spoken than a clear, high-pitched voice called out, "Uncle!"

A boy of about ten, dressed in dark green clothes, came running out from inside the gate. The child was tall and spirited, his features bearing some resemblance to Duan Xu's. He dashed over like the wind, threw his arms around Duan Xu's waist, and shouted, "Uncle, you're finally back!"

His voice was so loud it startled the sparrows on the eaves into flight.

Duan Xu laughed, lifting the boy with one arm and spinning him around. "You've gotten a lot heavier!"

"Uncle, put me down! I... I'm ten years old now! I'm an adult!" The boy's face flushed red as he struggled indignantly in Duan Xu's arms. Duan Xu set him down and greeted the woman following behind. "Sister-in-law, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

The woman had gentle, delicate features, and her every movement carried an air of noble grace. She was the widow of the eldest son of the Duan household. She pulled the boy close and said softly, "Everything is fine, except Yiqi keeps talking about you. He's grown a lot recently and insists he's already an adult, refusing to listen to discipline. I've been at my wits' end. Your return is just in time—help me straighten him out."

After studying Duan Xu for a moment, she sighed. "Younger brother, you've grown much thinner. You've suffered a lot this time."

"Danzhi invaded Great Liang. No one in the Border Army has been spared hardship—this is nothing." Duan Xu smiled and turned to his nephew, Duan Yiqi. "Since Yiqi claims he's already grown up, how about coming to the battlefield with me?"

"You barely managed to survive out there yourself, and now you want to drag your nephew along too?" The voice was stern and solemn, carrying the weight of age—it didn't belong to his gentle sister-in-law.

Duan Xu looked up to see a gaunt middle-aged man standing at the gate, dressed in a navy-blue robe embroidered with cranes. He was tall, though years of illness had left him slightly hunched, but his eyes were sharp and bright. On his left stood a young girl in a pink dress patterned with butterflies. She held his arm, her bright eyes sparkling with joy as she gazed at Duan Xu.

Duan Xu smiled and bowed deeply. "Father, your unfilial son has been away for months. I hope you've been well?"

Duan Chengzhang studied Duan Xu for a long time. If his daughter-in-law could see the weariness and scars on Duan Xu, he certainly could as well. He had once had three sons, and now only this one remained—one who had nearly lost his life on the battlefield.

At last, he sighed and said, "Standing at the gate is hardly proper. Come inside."

Duan Xu complied, surrounded by his family as he stepped through the gate. His sister-in-law went to support his father, leaving his younger sister—radiant as a flower in her pink dress—free to walk beside him. "Third Brother, you've lost weight."

"Jing Yuan, you've gained quite a bit."

"..."

Just as Duan Jingyuan's cheeks puffed up in anger, Duan Xu smoothly added, "That's a lovely new dress. The fabric has a soft sheen, and the pattern is unlike anything I've seen before."

Jing Yuan immediately forgot her anger. She spread her arms proudly to show off her dress. "Right? I told you—you won't find another like it in all of Southern Capital... But how did you know it's new?"“Such a grand occasion as my triumphant return—how could you not wear new clothes to welcome me?”

Duan Xu’s little sister was quite the beauty enthusiast. Though she wasn’t much for books, she excelled in blending fragrances, mixing colors, and designing clothing with unique flair. He could easily imagine that if he were ever to return wrapped in a horse’s hide—dead on the battlefield—she would undoubtedly craft the most exquisite mourning attire and become the most striking woman at his funeral.

If that day ever came, would she come too?

Duan Xu froze for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh, banishing thoughts of He Simu from his mind.

After the family’s warm greetings and a lively welcome feast, his father called him alone into the study after lunch.

The soothing incense in the study curled into wisps of white smoke. His father coughed lightly twice, prompting Duan Xu to ask, “Father, has your cough flared up again?”

“This old body of mine is just like this—it comes and goes.” Duan Chengzhang waved dismissively. Seated in the rosewood armchair behind the desk, he gestured to the chair beside him. “Sit.”

In the past, whenever his father summoned Duan Xu for a talk, he always made him stand. The other chairs in the study might as well have been decorations—this was the first time his father had ever invited him to sit.

Duan Xu smiled faintly. “My injuries have mostly healed. Standing for a while won’t hurt.”

Duan Chengzhang didn’t insist. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What are your plans from here?”

His expression held little joy—unlike that of a father whose son had just returned victorious from war.

Duan Xu answered smoothly, “I am already the commander of both the Treading White and Chéng Jié Armies. Upon returning to the capital, barring unforeseen circumstances, I will likely receive further honors. My rank may soon be second only to Commander Qin—”

“Nonsense!” Duan Chengzhang slammed the table and coughed again.

His reaction was within Duan Xu’s expectations. He fell silent, clasping his hands lightly behind his back as he waited for his father to continue.

“You still want to return to the military? Haven’t you gambled enough with your life? You must remain in the Southern Capital’s court—Duke Du needs you. The path was already paved for you, though unexpected detours arose. Now it’s time to return to it.”

Duan Chengzhang’s tone brooked no argument. Perhaps realizing he had been too harsh, he paused and softened his expression slightly. “You do have a talent for military governance. Serving as the Grand Marshal in the court would be just as fitting.”

Duan Xu rubbed his wrist guard and smiled brightly. “Very well. I’ll heed your advice, Father.”

Duan Chengzhang thought to himself that Duan Xu had always been filial and obedient, rarely defying his wishes and accomplishing every task assigned to him flawlessly. His heart eased slightly, and his tone grew even gentler. “Now that you’ve returned to the capital, there’s another important matter to address. Shunxi, you’ll soon be twenty. It’s time to marry and continue the Duan family line.”

“Doesn’t the family already have Yiqi for the next generation?”

“Yiqi is Yiqi, and you are you! Don’t conflate the two!”

Lowering his eyes, Duan Xu chuckled carelessly. “I’m not well acquainted with the noble ladies of the Southern Capital. Who does Father think would be most suitable for me to marry?”

This pleased Duan Chengzhang greatly. He instructed Duan Xu to retrieve three scrolls from the bookshelf and said, “These are portraits and birth charts of Su Yi, the third daughter of Minister Wang from the Ministry of Revenue; Changling, the fifth daughter of Academician Lu; and Qiuyan, the fourth daughter of Prince Xie. See if any catch your eye.”

Holding the three scrolls, Duan Xu smiled. “Minister Wang, Academician Lu, Prince Xie.”Some wielded real power, some were imperial tutors, and others were nobles. If Duke Du's family had a daughter of marriageable age, Duan Xu might not even have the privilege to choose.

Although the Duan family had been imperial relatives and renowned ministers for three generations, their decline became evident after his elder brothers passed away one after another and his father resigned due to illness. Now that the family's glory was reviving through him, it was only natural to seize this opportunity to stabilize their position. His father had indeed prepared everything in advance.

The scrolls twirled in Duan Xu's hands. He was in no hurry to open them and see the wife his father had chosen for him. Instead, he leisurely turned his gaze to his father and suddenly spoke in a sincere tone, "Father, I heard you once had a childhood sweetheart who grew up with you. She left after you married Mother."

Duan Chengzhang was stunned, clearly not expecting his son to bring up this past chapter.

After a pause, Duan Xu continued, "I also heard that Mother was previously betrothed to someone else. But that person was executed after being implicated in a rebellion. Years later, you reinvestigated the case and cleared his name."

Duan Chengzhang frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

"Father, I have no experience in matters of the heart. Since you want me to marry, I wish to seek your advice. Do you still remember what your childhood sweetheart looked like? Have you ever regretted marrying Mother?"

People in the Southern Capital said that Lord Duan had no concubines besides his wife and that the couple treated each other with the utmost respect and harmony.

But Duan Xu knew better. From childhood, he had vaguely discerned the truth—his parents had never loved each other.